Men's Golf Place Fourth at Rees Jones Intercollegiate

Nov. 4, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The inaugural Rees Jones Intercollegiate concluded today at the Haig Point Club on Daufuskie Island, S.C. The Michigan State men's golf team finished the 54-hole tournament in fourth place at 41-over par 905 (298-298-309). Junior Jack Newman led the way tying for fifth, his second straight top-10 finish.

South Carolina, ranked No. 7 in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin rankings, took the team title with a three-round total of 15-over par 879. Georgia State and San Diego State tied for second at 36-over. South Carolina's Wesley Bryan and Paul Woodbury tied for the individual crown at two-over par 218.

Newman, who now has three top-10 and two top-five placements this season, carded a team-best final round of two-over 74 to finish the tournament at five-over 221 (71-76-74). Newman had nine birdies over the last two days.

Sophomore Payne Gniewek had his fourth top-20 finish in six fall tournaments, tying for 11th at 10-over par 226 (76-75-75). Gniewek had a steady tournament, posting 27 pars over his final two rounds, including 14 in today's final round.

Senior Jordan Ensrud finished third on the team, tying for 22nd at 13-over par 229 (75-75-79). Classmate Randy Hutchison was 26th at 14-over 230 (76-73-81), while sophomore Graham Baillargeon was tied for 35th 20-over 236 (80-75-81). Ensrud and Baillargeon each had eight birdies in the tournament.

The Spartans finish their fall action and will return to the course on Feb. 4-6 for the Hawaii-Hilo Intercollegiate.